Magic Lantern

I love learning. I try to learn something new everyday. But when the subject of studying arises, I’m not as enthusiastic. This is because the word “studying” has always implied schooling to me.

The problem with typical schooling is that, ironically, it barely considers the student. Schools dictate rules regardless of a student’s interests, learning patterns, study habits, and other individual traits—which are just as important as the subject matter if learning is to be a success. Here are some things that my university dictated, back when I was in school:

• Subjects. I majored in Computer Science, but I had to take English, Filipino, history, theology, and philosophy classes. These subjects took up time I could have used to learn more interesting or relevant subjects. I would have welcomed major-related or free electives instead.
• Pacing. Instructors did their best to make their course both comprehensive and feasible, but there were always students who got quickly ahead or were left behind.
• Attendance. No matter how diligent students were, they were sanctioned whenever they missed a class, even if it was due to an illness or emergency.
• Reference materials. If students were told to use a humongous obscure difficult expensive hardcover-only textbook, they had to use it, regardless of spending power, vocabulary level, knowledge in the subject, number of copies in the library, or back problems.
• Syllabus. Not only were theories and concepts chosen by the school; the tools used to learn them were also dictated. In any university, for example, a basic programming class can make you use C or Java or even COBOL, as the department or instructor sees fit.

Some school restrictions are necessary, and some are ridiculous. But one thing’s for sure. In terms of success in learning, once schooling has given you the right foundations in theory, practice, and discipline, self-study beats further schooling any day. Here’s what I love about self-study:

• I study what I’m interested in. I focus on the topics I find most relevant, and choose the tools that are most useful to me.
• I study at my own pace, scheduling the modules based on my own needs and capabilities. I can easily adjust the schedule whenever it gets too fast or slow.
• There’s no attendance sheet. I don’t have to worry if I miss a day or two, since I can always catch up later.
• I choose my own reference materials—the books, videos, and websites that help me learn well.
• I don’t have to pay tuition fees, registration fees, athletics fees, guidance and counseling fees, student activities fees, library energy fees, computer lab fees, etc.

Self-study has made learning so much fun, and my enthusiasm does wonders for my level of concentration, the speed at which I pick up the subject matter, and the quality of work I produce based on what I’ve learned.